Over two months have passed to the ‘Janta Curfew‘ — when we all really sat up and realized that the pandemic was at our doorstep now. Since then, the country saw massive movement by the lesser-privileged people, in desperate attempts to reach home. Not that their homes were doing really well — facing the grave reality of starvation and household cash reserves hitting zero.
India Fellow responded to the crisis by making cash available in the bank accounts of daily wage labourers, manual scavengers, rag-pickers, rickshaw pullers, farmers and many others in urban and rural parts of the country. We are a network of 177 young Indians having worked/working with grassroots NGOs across the country. iVolunteer and Cash Relief are supporting us.
We began by donating themselves, then asked family and friends to do it. At the same time, through our network of grassroots organizations, we were getting to know of people stranded, wage-less, homeless, in need of cash more than anything else. Some of these organizations include Jan Sahas, Aajeevika Bureau, All India Network of Sex Workers and Shramik Bharti. The team put a system in place, to verify the information, do the due diligence and transfer the money directly in the bank accounts of needy folks.
Until now, we have been able to reach 7000+ people with ₹58 lakh. Folks whom we supported last month are approaching us again. Their cash is over, and help from other sources still alludes them. In the process, we developed some key insights.
Ration from the government has reached, albeit not to all, and constitutes about 5 kg rice, 1 kg daal, 1/2 litre oil and masala pouches on average. Some people, especially the ones with Jan Dhan accounts, have received ₹500 cash transfer. The number of people who reported this is less though — it is taking time. Segregated efforts by samaritans, citizen groups, civil society and administration have been commendable and give some respite in these gloomy times.
People are telling us crucial things, and that cash support can’t be replaced.
For example, a guy from Madhubani, Bihar currently living at the Nehru Nagar slum in Mumbai, mentions that he needs cash to access the mohalla toilet; ₹5 each time.
A nomadic group of circus artists in Warangal have no clue how they are going to see each sunrise and are appealing every day to various possible contacts for support.
Now, with the train fare expense, many people need to spend the money there. Direct cash transfers are what’s giving a dignified choice to people and an ability to arrange what they need.
Why Cash?
We believe that each one of us understands our needs better than anyone else. Whether a family needs 5 kg rice or a mobile recharge or a mosquito coil can be decided best only by that family. They must have the agency to take that decision. Having cash not only gives them the freedom to make this choice but also the dignity to walk up to the nearest shop and get what they want.
In Terms Of Geographical Locations, What Is The Reach?
Both our donors and the beneficiaries are located across the country. To name a few, we are supporting youth from villages of Mizoram, families in rural Uttar Pradesh, women in West Bengal, factory workers in rural Maharashtra and weavers in Telangana. We are open to collaborating and reaching out to more marginalised groups in India.
How Is The Money Disbursed?
Through our partner organizations or a responsible citizen group working on ground, we get identified lists of people in need. While we are working behind the scenes, generous donors keep contributing on our online campaign as well as directly in our bank account through NEFT transactions and UPI ID. The verified information goes into our database. The accounts team processes it and the cash gets credited in their bank accounts.
What Happens When Someone Doesn’t Have A Bank Account?
We verify the backgrounds of their community coordinator/local NGO and transfer the money to their account. In turn, they give it to the people and send us photos and reports. In other cases, we transfer the cash to shopkeepers who supply essential goods.
While many of us are working from home, indulging in hobbies, sipping coffee and watching Netflix, in the last two months, we all have heard of people who have become homeless, jobless, are struggling to find food, and have no mind space to think of anything else but survival. What they need right now, is money. Not just for groceries, medicines, mobile recharge but also to have a choice in what they eat, to feel dignified, to feel relieved, even if for a while.
The support to individuals continues. Alongside, we have also begun with a family support program, to give ₹2000 per family regularly for 3 months (May-June-July). This amount will keep their nose above water, along with other possible help from administration. This is a long haul, and we are looking for your support, not just once, but every time you save on the coffee, the salon visit, movie show and so on.
The millions at the brink of being lost cannot wait. Know more and support here.
For further details, get in touch with us on swati@indiafellow.org